"It's very satisfying to make this announcement," said Greg Johnson, Metro Region engineer. "The early opening comes from the hard work and dedication of the contractors, our staff and consultants who worked long hours to make this a reality."

Starting in February, MDOT began a $140 million investment to rebuild seven miles of pavement between Lahser Road in Southfield and Meyers Road in Detroit, repair an additional seven miles of pavement between Meyers Road and the I-94 interchange, and rehabilitate 50 bridges between Lahser Road and I-94.

Motorists are reminded that "open to traffic" differs from "project completion." From early September until early November, crews will be working on wrap-up items that will require intermittent lane closures. Every attempt will be made to restrict these lane closures to off-peak travel periods.

"I would like to thank the motoring public, first responders and the residents of Southfield and Detroit who were impacted by this very necessary project," Johnson said. "We know that the decision to close the freeway was not a popular one, but to complete this complex project in one construction season required a hard decision."